The Decline of International Talent: A Wake-Up Call for the Dutch Tech Sector!
A fresh breeze is blowing through the Dutch labour market. Across the country, companies are building the future: from AI startups to sustainable energy projects and high-tech innovations. One common thread? The growing need for international brainpower. And this is precisely where highly skilled migrants play a key role.
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While the number of incoming knowledge migrants declined by 26% in 2024 (Source: CBS), this development also presents new opportunities. It invites us to rethink how we welcome and support international talent, and that opens the door to incredible potential.
Knowledge migrants enrich the Netherlands.
Because let’s be clear: knowledge migrants enrich the Netherlands. They bring in unique expertise, accelerate innovation in key sectors such as IT, Engineering and science, and contribute to our global position as a knowledge economy. But they also bring something less tangible, new perspectives, culture, and energy.
At BlueStone, we see this in practice every day. We support companies that, thanks to a single knowledge migrant, go on to build entire international teams.
What gives us hope is that more and more organisations are actively investing in international talent strategies. They recognise that hiring from abroad isn’t just a necessity, it’s a powerful source of inspiration. Diversity fosters creativity, innovation, and engagement across entire teams.
The coming years hold enormous promise for the Netherlands. By simplifying procedures, increasing awareness of benefits such as the 30% ruling, and strengthening collaboration among education, government, and industry, we can make the Netherlands even more attractive to international professionals.
And that’s precisely where BlueStone wants to make a difference. With our expertise in hiring Highly Skilled Migrants, we ensure both migrants and employers feel guided and empowered.
Sources:
Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek (CBS). (2025). Immigration figures by purpose of stay, 2020–2024. Retrieved from https://www.cbs.nl
Platform Talent voor Technologie (PTvT). (2025). Labour market monitor: Technical and ICT vacancies. Retrieved from https://www.ptvt.nl
